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UFC boss Dana White didn't hesitate when asked if MMA should be an Olympic sport

Home> MMA> UFC

Published 06:30 6 Aug 2024 GMT+1

UFC boss Dana White didn't hesitate when asked if MMA should be an Olympic sport

Dana White has had his say on whether MMA should be added to the Olympics.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

UFC CEO Dana White didn't hesitate when asked if mixed martial arts (MMA) should be an Olympic sport.

Boxing, judo, wrestling and karate have all been included at this summer's Olympic Games in Paris.

The martial arts are all separate events, with MMA NOT featured.

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The topic of MMA being added to the Olympics is often brought up due to the rapid rise of the sport, particularly with the exponential growth of the UFC.

And White believes the sport of MMA should be a separate event at the Olympics.

Speaking in a UFC fan Q&A, he argued: "I think it should be an Olympic sport already."

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He also explained that he isn't personally involved with the push to see it added, but wpuld like to see the sport featured in such a momentous event.

"It’s not my job. It’s not what I’m looking to do," he added. "I’m not pushing to turn this thing into an Olympic sport. [But] I agree with whoever said that, yes [I’d like to see it added]."

White also said it should be the International Olympic Committee (IOC) pushing for MMA to be introduced, citing viewership figures.

He said: “And not to mention the fact that one of the big problems the Olympics is having right now, is viewership… You want viewers? Put MMA in the Olympics.”

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Judo at the 2024 Olympics. Image: Getty
Judo at the 2024 Olympics. Image: Getty

Daniel Cormier, however, sees it differently to White as he explained why it's 'too hard' for MMA to be featured at the Olympics.

Cormier, who represented Team USA in wrestling at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, said: "I don’t think so, I just think it’s too hard.

"If we’re doing mixed martial arts at the level of an Olympic sport, you’ve got to have multiple cages in one venue...

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"You’re going to have to take away elbows, certain kicks, you’d have to wear shin guards but it’s too dangerous in terms of injuries."

Featured Image Credit: Kevin Iole/YouTube/Getty

Topics: Dana White, UFC, Olympics

Nasir Jabbar
Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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@NasJabbar

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